As a lower-tier playoff team, the Hawks were looking for talent to help them get back in the postseason, as well as some long-term potential to possibly give them a boost down the line. Nabbing Adriean Payne at 15 was a solid selection. He’s one of my picks as a major sleeper in this class, but with Al Horford, Paul Millsap, and Mike Scott, it’s a bit of a crowded house at the forward spot. Walter Tavares is the biggest player in this draft and may pay off down the line, then again he may never see an NBA uniform. If he does, a potential front court boasting Bebe Nogueira and Tavares would easily be the longest in the league. Versatile Lamar Patterson has a chance to make the Hawks roster — a nice pickup late in the draft.

The Celtics had a fantastic draft. They probably would have liked to snag Aaron Gordon, but with him in a Magic jersey, they nabbed a player who should end up better in Oklahoma State’s ultra-competitive floor leader. Smart is tough as nails and versatile enough to play some minutes next to Rajon Rondo (as well as giving Ainge some insurance if they decide to trade Rondo). At 17, Boston picked up James Young, who has premium positional size and loads of potential at the wing. Pairing NBA readiness with potential, while staying true to drafting the best guys on the board are usually keys to draft success. Boston did just that.

When the draft tipped off, New Jersey didn’t have a pick. But when all was said and done, they landed two seniors with a chance to contribute. Markel Brown is one of the top athletes in the draft, and Cory Jefferson is an excellent rebounder.

Charlotte took full advantage of Noah Vonleh’s slide and picked up a player at No. 9 who has the potential to be one of the best (if not the best) power forward in this class. He may be a year or two away from making a major contribution, but Vonleh can provide length and defense from day one. P.J. Hairston is a natural scorer who tore up the D-League last season. At No. 26, he’s a nice value pick. In the second round, Charlotte picked Dwight Powell and Semaj Christon, which gives them a nice combo of a player with a definite NBA role (Powell as a stretch 4) and a point guard with untapped potential. For a team that made the playoffs last season, the Hornets brought in some intriguing, high-upside talent in a deep draft.

Shooting was one of the Bulls’ glaring weaknesses last season, and they addressed that by grabbing an elite long-range shooter in Doug McDermott. Although he isn’t a lock-down defender like many of Tom Thibodeau’s preferred players, the system in place in Chicago got the most out of Kyle Korver’s defensive ability, and McDermott is a superior all-around athlete and playmaker. Cam Baristow is a big, tough dude who could fit right in as a Bull. Although I didn’t necessarily think he was the best player on the board, he makes sense for a team like Chicago, who doesn’t have much size at the end of their bench.

Drafting Andrew Wiggins at No. 1 was the right choice. His upside is too high to pass up, and his ability to defend the wing and get out in transition will help Cleveland right away. He won’t demand the ball, and he excels in so many of the areas that have been problematic for the dysfunctional Cavaliers. Wiggins’ potential is through the roof. Pairing him with fellow Canadians Anthony Bennett and Tristian Thompson will not only ease his transition to the NBA, but hopefully help get the most out of last year’s No. 1 overall pick. Joe Harris is a tough shooter who could also help out the Cavs right away if he can credibly defend his position. Dan Gilbert doesn’t want to be back in the lottery next year, and the Cavs took big steps toward that goal last night.

Dallas

Draft Grade

Additions

Analysis

B-

Tyson Chandler
Raymond Felton

The Mavericks traded the 34th and 51st picks in the deal that netted them Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton. The Mavericks also gave up Jose Calderon, Samuel Dalembert, Wayne Ellington and last year’s 18th pick, Shane Larkin, as part of the deal. While this signifies the return of Dallas’ rim-protecting man in the middle during their 2011 championship run, Chandler is going to be 32 at the start of the season and has dealt with nagging injuries. Felton has a reasonable contract, but he has done little to prove he is a viable starting option for a contending team. Chandler’s expiring contract is the small upside in a move that made Knicks fans crack a smile in a toast to the rebuilding process.

After grabbing Doug McDermott at 11, the Nuggets shipped him in a long-rumored trade to Chicago for the 16th and 19th choices. They chose Bosnian big man Jusuf Nurkic, who many believed was in play for them at 11. The 19-year-old center impressed with his play for KK Cedevita in Croatia, averaging 11.7 ppg and 5.7 rpg in only 16.6 mpg. With a soft touch and great footwork, he projects as a starting-caliber center (think Nikola Pekovic). The major concerns with him is conditioning and athleticism (poor vertical leap). There aren’t many players with his size and skill, though — some see him as a possible European DeMarcus Cousins (which unfortunately includes the attitude concerns that come with Boogie, as well). Gary Harris was the Nuggets’ next pick — and it’s a good one. Harris was considered a likely lottery selection due to his cerebral play and skillset as a SG. Injury concerns and lack of height may have driven him down to 19. Arron Afflalo is back in the fold with Denver (Denver traded Evan Fournier and the 56th selection to Orlando) and he seems like a fantastic mentor for the young rookie. At 41, they chose Serbian big man Nikola Jokic. He is yet another player with fantastic size and a very nice touch from the perimeter, but his lack of footspeed and athleticism could make his NBA hopes a challenge. The Nuggets picked up some nice young pieces, along with the Afflalo upgrade that will pay immediate dividends next season.

Detroit had just one pick (No. 38) and spent it on a player who would have gone much higher had he not torn his ACL. Dinwiddie is a big, long combo guard (6-ft-6), and a little reminiscent of Rodney Stucky, who is about to hit the free-agent market. This pick makes sense for the Pistons, and Dinwiddie was among the best players on my board in this range. His injury history is a bit of a concern, but with no guaranteed contract, he’s worth the risk.

Golden State

Draft Grade

Additions

Analysis

I

None

The Warriors entered the draft without any picks and did not make any moves to re-enter the fray. They traded the rights of their first-round selection to the Utah Jazz as part of last year’s package for Andre Iguodala. Utah also receives Golden State’s first-round pick in 2017, as well as their second-round choices in 2016 and 2017 (with Denver receving a 2018 second-round pick from them, as well). This is the second year in a row with limited movement in the draft for the Warriors — their only move last year was trading for the rights to Nemanja Nedovic. Their second-round choice was traded to the Timberwolves for Malcolm Lee and the draft rights to Andre Roberson. So the Warriors stood pat, but don’t expect the chatter regarding the long-rumored Kevin Love/Klay Thompson deal to quiet down anytime soon. This is definitely a team to watch for this summer, even with no movement on June 26.

With the Rockets looking to attract a big name to join James Harden and Dwight Howard, they went with a draft-and-stash player in Clint Capela. The Swiss big man is a superior athlete who seems to be looking down at the rim at times. Even so, he needs a lot of fine tuning as far as his overall basketball acumen and body. Capela projects as a defensive-minded big who can help a bit on the boards (as well as as a player who may not mind not staying in Europe for a little while). They took Nick Johnson at 42 as an athletic combo guard who could provide some end-of-the-bench minutes. He has a professional attitude and NBA athleticism, though it is still a question as to what his role will be at the next level. They traded cash considerations to Minnesota for the rights to Alessandro Gentile, an Italian wing who has some high-level pro experience. His lack of athleticism and inconsistent shooting will likely keep him in Europe (where he is sought after, thanks to his production thus far in his career). The Rockets’ grade will plummet if they strike out in free agency, but skyrocket if they land a third All-Star.

Indiana

Draft Grade

Additions

Analysis

I

None

The Pacers traded their first rounder to Phoenix as part of the Luis Scola deal, and sent No. 57-pick Louis Labeyrie to New York. Indiana is hoping for deep run in the playoffs next season — odds are, no player on the board at 57 could help them right away. It’s hard to hammer a playoff team for trading a late second rounder, but keeping Labeyrie (or any other international prospect) overseas and allowing him to develop could have paid off down the line. Don’t believe me? Ask Spurs fans how the No. 57 pick in 1999 worked out for them.

The Clippers chose a silky 2-guard in CJ Wilcox — he is an excellent shooter who gives you near-prototype size and athleticism at his position. Wilcox spent five years at Washington (redshirted as a freshman) and was one of the most difficult match-ups in the Pac-12 conference. The Clippers already have a number of wings (though many of them are aging). Wilcox projects as a player who could step in if any Clipper wing player suffers an injury or gets traded this summer. There may have been higher upside players or more recognizable names here (not to mention bigger players who would’ve filled a major need as a backup PF/C), but the Clippers will end up happy with this selection.

Word had spread that Julius Randle had “dominated” a workout that featured a one-on-one match-up with Mark “Mad Dog” Madsen and two-on-two with support staff. With possible targets Noah Vonleh and Elfrid Payton both on the board, the Lakers added a player some felt had the potential to go No. 1 overall heading into the college season. Randle certainly didn’t have a bad freshman year — in fact, he was a double-double machine and major catalyst in Kentucky’s run to the NCAA Tournament final. What stood out, though, were concerns about high turnover numbers, less-than-optimal length for his position and not displaying his hyped perimeter skills. Randle is certainly strong and quick, plus his tenacity as a rebounder is evident. Not evident, however, was the SF skillset many felt he possessed, as he finished an abysmal 9-52 (17.3%) on jump shots at UK. In addition, some teams believe his foot did not correctly heal from a surgery on a broken foot he obtained in his senior year of high school. Apparently, the foot was fine during his workout and he impressed to the point where the Lakers are hoping to plug him in right away. He projects as a solid starter, possibly even more than that. They acquired Jordan Clarkson from the Washington Wizards. The athletic combo guard was seen as a possible first rounder at one point and could be a good value.

The Grizzlies were rumored to be enamored with both of these players and they ended up getting their guys. Adams was thought to have a promise in this range. He was very productive during his time at UCLA and he has great instincts as a scorer — not to mention his penchant for steals as a defender. One possible concern with him at the NBA level is the lack of athleticism he showed at the combine. He is truly a below-the-rim player. Even so, he put up numbers and he knows how to play. Stokes is a bruising rebounder and a local product who went to Tennessee. The hope seems to be to add some bulk to their front line and Stokes certainly has a frame for that. He was tough to stop close to the basket, though he does give up a bit in terms of optimal size for the position and lateral quickness. The Grizzlies are one of the teams that prefer analytics over athleticism. They bring in two productive college players who fill roles, but provide limited upside.

Keeping LeBron James happy is imperative when trying to keep the league’s top player from bolting via free agency. King James had wanted Shabazz Napier as a teammate for months, and Pat Riley and company made that happen. Napier can contribute for the Heat right away. His one-on-one ability, quick first step and long-range shot are natural fits in Erik Spoelstra’s system. However, Napier turns 23 on July 14 — players his age should be stellar college performers, right? He is undersized (measured 6-1 in shoes at the combine) and will struggle to defend the bigger, stronger point guards. Plus, it’s hard to imagine any rookie having to deal with more pressure next season, given the spotlight and LeBron’s endorsement. It usually isn’t a good idea to let players (even league MVPs) dictate personnel moves, but Napier is a low-downside, big-game player at a position of need.

The Bucks have always had issues trying to lure free agents, so when you nab a top-three talent who actually wants to end up in Milwaukee, that’s a major win. Parker’s scoring ability will make a huge difference for the Bucks right out of the gate, and he’s a better fit next to the “Greek Freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo than Andrew Wiggins would have been. Inglis is a versatile forward with major upside, and Johnny O’Bryant is a big, strong player with a nice mid-range game. The Bucks hit a home run with Parker, and Inglis could pay off for them down the line.

We are extremely high on both players, but we fear that landing in Minnesota could spell doom. The Timberwolves are among the dregs of the league in terms of culture, and with two high-upside early entries, a strong environment would be extremely benefical for their development. With LaVine and GR3, Minnesota gets two of the draft’s best athletes, both of whom are works in progress. With Kevin Love seemingly on his way out, Minnesota decided against a replacement. Instead, they’re looking to develop a future 2/3 combination. First was the rumored promise for Zach LaVine, who seemed shocked that he had slipped to this point of the draft. An absolutely elite run-and-jump athlete, LaVine provided glimpses of massive potential at UCLA. His handle and shot are both solid, with strength and overall basketball acumen still needing time. If the team has a plan in place for him, only a handful of players in the draft have his potential. GR3 (as Glenn Robinson III is sometimes referred to) is the son of former No. 1 pick, Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson. “Little Big Dog” was seen as a possible lottery pick headed into the season after playing a strong complementary role on Michigan’s 2013 NCAA Tournament runner-up team. He is another fantastic leaper who shows flashes, with his ball skills and body both in need of work. Look for the Timberwolves to bring both along slowly; however, the potential here is impressive. Minnesota’se fantasy would be for this to be the backcourt of the future. It is hard to believe that will be the case; though, if one or both put it together, this will be a big step forward for this franchise.

With no picks coming into the night after trading away their first rounder for Jrue Holiday as part of last year’s deal that sent Nerlens Noel to Philadelphia, the Pelicans ended up trading into the second round to grab Russ Smith. The diminutive scoring guard from Louisville was the leading scorer of the 2013 NCAA Champion Louisville team and was one of college basketball’s biggest stars during his senior season. His size (or lack thereof) is a major concern, as he is not really seen as a lead guard. The team also dealt last years second round pick and D-League stud, Pierre Jackson, to acquire his rights. They refused to bring Jackson up last season and it is difficult to see where Smith fits in, as he projects to being a similar player without the pure point-guard ability. “Russdiculous” did show more lead-guard ability last year and he’s a tough player to defend, though it appears he will be stuck in limbo if he stays with the Pelicans. New Orleans dealt yet another valuable first-round pick (this time 2015’s) to bring in big Omer Asik — an elite rim protector who will allow the phenomenal Anthony Davis to play power forward full-time. But this team still lacks a true small forward. Unless they feel a three guard line-up of Holiday, Eric Gordon and Tyreke Evans will work with Davis and Asik (or have a plan B), it seems that an attempt at upgrading the SF spot could have been in the cards.

New York got one of the biggest steals in the draft by nabbing Cleanthony Early. The Wichita State product plays both ends of the ball, rises to the occasion, and measured out as a very impressive athlete. He could help a struggling Knicks team from day one. Thanasis Atentokounmpo is a top-notch athlete with considerable defensive upside. He is good low-risk investment.

The Thunder have long been looking for pieces to place around Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook to finally break through and win a title. With those two potent scorers in place as well as some emerging young players, they took two players who they hope will become complementary pieces. McGary is big and talented, who played out of his mind during the 2013 NCAA Tournament. During this run, McGary was dominant at times. High expectations for his sophomore year were put on hold due to nagging back issues that forced him to sit out a majority of the year. Even so, McGary has a huge body and plays with high energy — he fits in with how Steven Adams and Nick Collison play. Huestis garnered buzz during workouts, though most were surprised he went 29. He appears a bit similar to Andre Roberson, though with more ability as a perimeter defender. The work he provided on Andrew Wiggins in the tournament opened eyes. He might develop into a tough glue guy who could fill an end-of-the-bench role. These are both tough, team-oriented energy players who seem to fit the Thunder’s personality, but it’s hard to see either making a dent in next season’s playoff run (unlike some of the players who were on the board at 21 or 29).

Orlando could have taken Dante Exum or Marcus Smart to pair with Victor Oladipo, but opted for Aaron Gordon’s superior athleticism. The Magic also picked up Elfrid Payton in the late lottery. Although Gordon may be a tad of a reach at No. 4, his athleticism, defensive ability, basketball IQ, passing skills, and non-stop motor will make him a fan favorite. If he can learn how to shoot, he could develop into a star (remember, NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard couldn’t shoot in college, either). Grabbing Payton late in the lottery gives the Magic yet another high-character, athletically gifted player. A Payton/Oladipo backcourt could be a defensive force in 2-3 seasons. Roy Marble has NBA size/shooting ability and has a shot to make the team.

Sam Hinkie and company clearly went the route of stockpiling talent, yet again. With Nerlens Noel (hopefully) suiting up next season, they were among the teams that could be patient with a healing Joel Embiid. A healhty Embiid is the best prospect in this draft (maybe the best since Anthony Davis) and he still has the potential to be a dominant NBA center. Saric is a nice talent, but it will be at least two years before he’s allowed to join any NBA team. Micic will also develop overseas for Philly. Defensive stud K.J. McDaniels will most likely play the most minutes for the 76ers among these picks, and represents nice value at 32. Jerami Grant is all upside, but he’s really long and fluid — his potential was tough to pass on at 39. McRae probably wouldn’t make most NBA rosters next season, but Philly’s is one he could have a shot at sticking with. While the 76ers chose the marathon over the sprint, the talent they acquired last night is worthy of a high grade. Of course, it’s going to be brutal to actually watch this team play basketball next season. Are the Sixers planning on charging full price for tickets while Hinkie “builds”?

The Phoenix Suns were among the most pleasant surprises last season. A team many believed would tank ended up a game short of the playoffs. With most of the supporting cast set to return and a couple big contracts coming off of the books, Phoenix could emerge as a player for free agents this summer. The Suns kept all three first-round selections they had this year and added depth they can definitely use. TJ Warren is a prospect many are split on. He is a great scorer with questionable shooting ability and athleticism. For a team that got by starting PJ Tucker for the league minimum, Warren certainly provides a height/length upgrade and a true SF presence Phoenix did not have last season. Most figure that the Suns already have enough point guards with both Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe. However, the Suns often play them both together, and Bledsoe is in the market for a hefty raise. Tyler Ennis should provide a heady floor general behind either Bledsoe or Dragic and adds a scoring element, as well. Bogdan Bogdanovic had an excellent season for KK Partizan and may spend more time in Europe. He is seen as a combo guard with high basketball IQ. Alec Brown potentially provides a stretch option they may lose if Channing Frye signs else, although he provides even less than Frye physically. Overall, the Suns picked up at least two smart, crafty players who look to have rotation roles next season.

Portland

Draft Grade

Additions

Analysis

I

None

The Blazers sent this first-round choice to the Hornets as part of the Gerald Wallace trade. Time flies. The Blazers second-round pick went back and forth numerous times before ending up with the Denver Nuggets, who eventually gave it to the Orlando Magic with Evan Fournier as part of the Arron Afflalo deal. The picks ended up being Shabazz Napier at 24 and Roy Devyn Marble at 56. Odds are, the Blazers likely would have chosen differently, although they are pleased with what they got in return for Wallace (Hi, Damian Lillard!)

After having Ben McLemore fall into their laps at No. 7 last season, Sacramento decided to take Canadian sharp-shooter Nik Stauskas at 8. Long rumored to be interested in Elfrid Payton, this seems to be a pretty puzzling selection. One has to believe the Kings have a plan and I am certain fans hope that plan is not a Stauskas/McLemore backcourt. McLemore did not have the season most expected and struggled finding his shot, whereas Stauskas is unquestionably an elite shooter. Still, the athleticism McLemore possesses and the glaring needs at other positions make this choice a head-scratcher at this point in time. Some may say that a big trade is brewing and that they may use McLemore as an asset while retaining Stauskas’ services as a shooter. In the meantime, both of these guys sharing the SG spot makes it tough to envision this team climbing. Stauskas had an excellent year and, while he may be more than just a shooter, there are questions as to how he will adjust to the NBA defensively. With the possibility of drafting a big, athletic PG in Payton and the upside of Noah Vonleh as a PF with some range, this looks like a pick the Kings once again could regret. Stauskas certainly has NBA-level ability and work ethic, but the upside the other players provided at positions of need seemed worth it at this point in the draft.

Kyle Anderson has been compared to Boris Diaw constantly through the draft process. Now he will get to play with him. For “Slo-Mo,” sliding down the draft board came with a huge positive in the form of being drafted by the defending NBA Champions. Anyone chosen by the Spurs is immediately seen as having something to their game. With Anderson, it is his playmaking ability in a PF’s body, much like Diaw displayed in his role with the team this season. Anderson is a player who does not have to score to be dangerous as a passer, ball-handler, and rebounder. The downside is his lack of athleticism and whether he can play off of the ball. Gregg Popovich usually finds a way to use multi-skilled players effectively, which really helps the odds of this being a great pick. Dangubic is a solid athlete with versatility, but he will need to work on his shooting.

Masai Ujiri was not choking up on the bat when he made this selection. He apparently wanted to add Syracuse PG Tyler Ennis, but when the Suns scooped him up at 18, he decided to go completely off script by taking little-known Bruno Caboclo. With a pressing need at PG with Kyle Lowry possibly skipping town, Shabazz Napier made more sense. It’s questionable whether Caboclo would have remained on the board for them at 37, but they obviously love his potential. Caboclo is just 18, but he possesses a decent shooting stroke, runs the floor pretty well and has a 7-foot-7 wingspan. The Raps disregarded the fact that he hadn’t worked out for any teams or played in a true professional league and passed on players such as Napier, Rodney Hood, Cleanthony Early, Glenn Robinson III and other, more polished prospects. Ujiri could look like a genius if this pick pans out. Even if Caboclo never plays in the NBA, he’s not likely to be judged on this pick for 3-4 years. But the Raptors are a playoff team with real players and real expectations. They could have added a real piece here to make a run in a wide-open Eastern Conference. DeAndre Daniels was a solid grab at 37. He helped his stock during UConn’s NCAA tournament run. He appears to be a prototypical 3-and-D player. Dwane Casey could find minutes for next season behind DeMar Derozan and Terrance Ross.

He is a thrilling prospect, but there are questions as to whether Dante Exum is a true point guard. The Jazz will more than likely let Trey Burke keep running the show and bring Exum along as a SG with some distribution ability. Exum, who many felt would be selected either third or fourth, has an uncanny ability to get to the hoop with excellent size and quickness for either guard spot. His jump shot still needs work, though it is imaginable that he could allow the Jazz to play Trey Burke off of the ball, where he can be quite dangerous. Exum is inexperienced and many question his readiness, but his talent and feel for the game are quite real. If getting Exum wasn’t exciting enough, they picked up a great value pick in Rodney Hood at 23. Hood is a very good shooter with some solid athleticism and size for the 3 spot. Utah seemed to be looking for added depth on the wing and it appears that they could have found it. Terrific draft for the Jazz.

Washington

Draft Grade

Additions

Analysis

I

None

The Wizards didn’t have a pick this season as a part of the Marcin Gortat trade with Pheonix. Washington made the post season for the first time since 2007-08, so Gortat’s talents were a nice investment for the pick. If they are able to re-sign him, even better.